Navajo National Monument

HC 71 Box 3
Tonalea, AZ 86044

Phone
Visitor Information
(928) 672-2700

Explore Navajo National Monument!

Navajo National Monument preserves three intact cliff dwellings of the Ancestral Puebloan people. A visitor center, museum, three short self-guided trails, two small campgrounds, and a picnic area provide service to travelers that make the trek to this remote hamlet.

Rangers guide tours to cliff dwellings. Please call 928-672-2700.

Places To Go

Betatakin tours are free! Groups leave daily in the summer season with a ranger. It is a strenuous 5-mile round-trip hike takes 3 to 5 hours. Begins at 7,300 ft. elevation; loses and regains 700 feet. Wear sturdy shoes and bring 2 liters of water. If you have hip, knee, heart, respiratory problems or recent surgery; do not attempt this hike.

Summer season: Hikes leave at 8:15 A.M. and 10 A.M. We observe Mountain Daylight Savings Time--the same as Utah and New Mexico and Colorado: check the time!

Winter season: Hikes leave at 10 A.M. on Weekends, when staff is available, and when weather permits. Please call on availability, 928-672-2700.

There is a hazard from falling rock in the Betatakin alcove. We cannot predict if, when, or where a rock may fall. Sandstone flakes off, which is how the alcove is created. You may enter the alcove on the tour, but it will be at your own risk. 

You may choose to take the tour just to the opening of the alcove. This is still a good tour and view, but you will not get next to the structures within the alcove.

Keet Seel hikes need a backcrountry permit from the visitor center. Daily limit is 20 people for this 17-mile round-trip hike on a primitive trail; elevation loss and regain is 1000 feet. Hike on sand hills and rocks, cross ankle-deep stream many times

During the warmer months, hikers may choose to dayhike or stay overnight in the campground near Keet Seel. Orientation times are 8:15 A.M. and 4 P.M., when you receive your permit. Bring at least 1 gallon of water/person/day, for the stream is shared with livestock. Ranger on site guides you through Keet Seel.

Winter hikes are guided day hikes only; call for reservation: 928-672-2700.

Canyon View Campground
Open
April 1 through September 30
Phone
928/672-2700
This simple campground is a tenth of a mile away from the visitor center on an unpaved road. It is free and quiet, and has fine canyon views on both sides. There are 16 sites, three of which are good for group camping. 

These group sites can be reserved by calling (928)672-2700. There are composting toilets, charcoal grills, and no water; water is available at the other campground. People enjoy this campground for its silence and spectacular night skies.

Sunset View Campground
Open All Year
This free campground with paved roads is close to the visitor center, has 31 small sites with picnic tables, charcoal grills, and parking spaces. There are restrooms and running water. No hookups are available; RV's are limited to 28 feet or less. 

The campground is first-come, first-served. In the winter, campers should be prepared for cold temperatures and snow. The terrain is sandstone and pinyon-juniper forest; the campground is private and restful.

Sandal Trail: paved trail leads top overlook of Betatakin/Talastima cliff dwelling (1-mile round trip).

Aspen Trail: branches off Sandal Trail to descend 300 feet to view ancient aspen forest (0.8-mile round trip).

Canyon View Trail: view of head of Betatakin Canyon; leads to campground (0.6-mile round trip).

Page 1 of 1